According to county records, the award includes a $464,800 base bid for the building plus $15,000 for wall panel dividers. The contract provides for completion of the work in 180 days by the Bay Minette company.

Records show that officials reviewed bids from 7 pre-qualified contractors before recommending Reed get the contract with the low bid. A second alternate item — a $50,000 generator -- was not awarded.

Records show bids for the building came in much higher than anticipated, and Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack agreed to pay the $154,800 difference from sheriff’s department discretionary funds.

The award marks a sizeable expansion for the Law Enforcement Academy operated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office in Stapleton. Officials announced in October that the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training agency offered $325,000 to build a classroom facility that would accommodate 100 students at a time. The existing center has operated on money from training fees and a state appropriation for years, holding classes for 20 officers at a time.

Since 2003, more than 2,000 people received training in classes ranging from basic certification to advanced courses. The new building will add 7,000 square feet to the operation that has hosted officers from all over the state. Officials said Alabama has several such training centers. Due to the center’s small size, many officers wait to take courses until space is available, according to Mack. The expansion will allow about 5 times as many officers as before to get trained simultaneously, he said.

At the Stapleton facility, the state pays for a secretary, a vehicle and training expenses.

Mack said the expanded center would offer courses in jail management, forensics and technology use, among other training.

Last fall, commissioners praised the development as a boon to Stapleton, though some residents were not happy about the facility at the outset. Commission Chairman Frank Burt said the center brings jobs and business to the community and the expansion should mean more traffic for local merchants.